Memorial remembers "Worcester 6" on 24th anniversary of Cold Storage Fire
WORCESTER - The "Worcester 6" firefighters who were killed in the Worcester Cold Storage fire on December 3, 1999, were remembered Sunday - the 24th anniversary of the fire - with a ceremony at the Franklin Street Fire Station, the site of the fire.
Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. Timothy Jackson Sr., Lt. James Lyons III, and firefighters Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton and Joseph McGuirk died after becoming trapped in the fire. The fire was started in the windowless building by two unhoused people. Some of the firefighters got disoriented in the fire and others died trying to save them.
FFD members pause from working the pile at the site of the #Worcester Cold Storage & Warehouse to pay their respects as the remains of one of the "Worcester 6" are discovered. This was taken on Dec. 10, 1999, one week after the Worcester Cold Storage Building Fire. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/IkIjWCWAR4
— Framingham Fire Department (@FraminghamFire) December 3, 2023
Lucey was the cousin of actor, comedian and Worcester native Denis Leary. Leary established the Leary Firefighters Foundation in 2000 in memory of the "Worcester 6." The foundation fund equipment and training for firefighters across the nation.
Today, we honor and remember the 6 lives lost on December 3, 1999 at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire.
— State Senator Peter Durant (@DurantForSenate) December 3, 2023
Lt. Thomas Spencer
Firefighter Paul Brotherton
Lt. Timothy Jackson
Firefighter Jeremiah Lucey
Lt. James Lyons
Firefighter Joseph McGuirk (1/2) pic.twitter.com/b0YN3oc2Zk
The fire led to several changes in procedure. Several sons of the Worcester 6 have since become Worcester firefighters themselves.